Category: Letters

By Agbontaen Okogun

Sir: Time after time, it will happen again. Better not imagined, is the tears of agony that comes with it, especially for the families of those involved. But, will they ever learn? I’m not sure. The drug deal must have felt too good, for a word to be enough for the wise. So, they will always get a memo.

Indeed, another of such memo came through from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, recently, when an intending drug courier, Uji Dominic and his drug kingpin host and sponsor, Charles Uwagbale, got served a memo through their arrest for being in possessing of 93 pellets of cocaine and a masterplan to use Uji Dominic who came from Italy, as his recruit on July 21. But fortunately, the drug baron and his recruit were caught right in the act.  What a scene it must have been. The ‘Ogbono’ or the Okro soup, being used by the duo to perform the ingestion processes was probably still dripping from Uji’s mouth when he was caught.

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Interestingly, the process of recruiting illicit drug couriers for the drug criminal acts has been in existence since drug trafficking became a huge criminal business in the early 1980s. As noted in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, vol. 22, issue 1-2, published in 1998 “However, trafficking of heroin and cocaine has become a serious social problem in Nigeria in the last decade and is second only to politics as the country’s most serious social problem. During this period, a whole new market involving supplies of raw materials and a distribution network for the finished product has developed to serve the drug industry.”

Fast forward to 2023, that is 25 years later, the illicit drug business is still of interest to many persons across the globe, and Nigerians are not left out of the interest in the fast money making  illicit drug deals. Hence, watching the NDLEA, in the last 31 months, I have seen how constantly they keep reminding our society, institutions, parents and health care professionals, how important their desire to eliminate public access to psychotropics and opioids drug is.

Indeed, since the time, Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) took the helm of affairs at the NDLEA, I have lost count of how many times, drug couriers and mules have been detected and arrested across all the agency’s interdiction points, across the country. And the case of Uji Dominic and Charles Uwagbale, who were arrested at their lodge, Golden Heaven hotel in Isolo Lagos, is one out of over a thousand drug couriers or mules arrested, so far.  But it was foolhardy, for the drug baron to have thought he wouldn’t be caught, while committing a crime under a hotel with Heaven’s name!

The arrest is indeed another memo the NDLEA is sending out to all of us. A reminder and a call to action for us to encourage one another and hands off any act that borders on cultivation, dealing, trafficking and use of illicit and dangerous drugs in Nigeria and as Nigerians.

Agbontaen Okogun, Benin City, Edo State.

Sir “…no autocratic rule and no military regime can produce what a free man can do” – Tsakhragiin Elbegdorj.

The above quote may be strange to the ears of many, but those who have had an opportunity to witness military regimes, most especially in Nigeria, will surely appreciate and understand what the quote entails.

The current occurrence in the Republic of Niger where a group of soldiers, headed by Abdourahamane Tchiani, usurped the seat of the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has, since the day of the unlawful usurpation, been generating controversies among nations of Africa and beyond.

And in its bid to restore constitutional order in the country, Niger, ECOWAS, through its chairman, President Bola Tinubu had, few days after the illegitimate military occupation and after the extraordinary summit of the ECOWAS, sent a delegation led by former military Head of State, AbdulSalam Abubakar to Niger for an end of the crisis. But it was unfortunate the proposed dialogue failed.

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In light of this, ECOWAS, few days ago, met and resolved to return the toppled president, Bazoum, to power by deploying troops in Niger following the refusal of the military leaders in Niger to restore democracy despite the sanctions imposed on them. And since the stance has been made, many, most especially Nigerians, have been speaking against the military deployment. They believe that the move is the creation of President Bola Tinubu.

Nigerians have been urging and persuading President Tinubu to desist from going to war against Niger, forgetting that Mr President isn’t the only decision maker in ECOWAS summits and that ECOWAS, not Nigeria is against the coup in Niger.

Undoubtedly many aren’t aware that what the ECOWAS is trying to discourage is the return of unconstitutional administrations in African countries. They aren’t aware that a threat to nonviolence anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere. The question is: Shall we allow illegitimate governments to again rule over us in African countries? Instead of speaking against the lasting solution (military action) to restore constitutional government in the neighbouring country, what I think the ECOWAS need is our support.

We must condemn the coup affirmatively and without question. We should understand that if the coup succeeds, it will have devastating consequences for African countries and the whole world.

We should, like Bazoum said, resist any attempt to overthrow a legitimate government by all means. The dangers the coup poses will undoubtedly have shocking outcomes far beyond Niger’s borders. Boko Haram and other terrorist movements may take advantage of Niger’s instability to launch ceaseless attacks and undermine peace, security and freedom around the world, most especially around the adjoining and bordering countries.

The fact remains, African countries already lag behind; they need fast development. The continent cannot afford to be ruled by the military. Soldiers’ primary responsibility is to defend their countries against any external attack. The business of governance must be left to those that the constitution spells out to govern.

• Ademola ‘Bablow’ Babalola, babalolaademola39@gmail.com

Sir: I believe that Nigeria is the future of Africa. Not only are we Africa’s most populous country, and largest economy, we are also home to its most entrepreneurial and energetic people. In fact, I think that Nigerians would qualify to be among the most entrepreneurial people in the world. Here in Nigeria, we call it the ‘hustle’, and that spirit is to be found in all of us, young and old.

It does not matter where we are, whether at home or abroad. I have lived in the UK for about five years, studying and even abroad it was very easy to spot a Nigerian by the energy that they gave off.

I have also done a lot of volunteer work in Nigeria, as part of a team dedicated to tackling illiteracy and poverty in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and I can testify first-hand of the passion of my fellow young team members, as well as the hunger for advancement that our target populations demonstrated.

Young Nigerians are not satisfied with being stuck in the same situation and doing nothing about it. People want to develop their skills and knowledge, and advance their education.

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We call it the ‘Naija No Dey Carry Last’ spirit. You can see it manifesting in the quality of our music, which is now popular everywhere around the world, from bars and restaurants to airports and local radio stations. You can see it in our world-class films, which are today regular hits on Netflix and other streaming platforms.

You can also see it in our technology ecosystem, all of the amazing companies being founded by young Nigerians, in fintech, agtech, edtech, healthtech, civictech and many other areas.

There is no better time, in my view, to be a young Nigerian. Don’t get me wrong; there are still many challenges that we face as young Nigerians, which must not be downplayed or underestimated. Too many young Nigerians are still held back by lack of access to decent education, to jobs, to financing for their businesses, and so on.

But at the same time, even in the face of so many challenges, so much innovation is taking place, in every corner of the country. All of these challenges are being seen as opportunities to innovate and build new ways and systems of doing things.

Young Nigerians are realizing that the old ways of doing things have failed and will keep failing, and there is need to disrupt the status quo. We can no longer be a country that is obsessed with paper certificates, if the certificates cannot provide enough jobs.

So many young people are making a living with work that is very different from what they studied in university or polytechnic. So many people are surviving today with skills that were learned outside the four walls of a conventional educational institution.

This means that we must rethink a lot of our perspectives on education and jobs. We must put our energy to use in building a Nigeria that works for young Nigerians in the 21st century.

Don’t get me wrong, these challenges are not limited to Nigeria. Everywhere around the world, there is pressure on governments and societies to cater to the growing needs of young people.

There is also the realization that perhaps our parents had it somewhat easier – in terms of access to things like scholarships, mortgages, vehicle loans etc. But we cannot just sit back and lament about how things used to be better or easier. We have to take our destinies into our hands, and use our energy, talent and the technology that is available to us, to create new paths and opportunities.

As a young Nigerian just starting out, I am proud to belong to a generation that is hard-working and that isn’t sitting and waiting around for anyone’s permission to make things happen.

I am also excited by the possibilities that I can see specifically in Northern Nigeria, where I come from. Often times, in the news, the dominant stories from the North have to do with Boko Haram, poverty, and similar issues. While these are daily realities for many people, we should also always be quick to recognize that there are many positive stories as well, and we should always strive for balance and full representation. There are many young people from the region who are doing amazing things, working to solve many of the problems that dominate the headlines. 

These heroes deserve recognition and support too. I look forward to playing my part contributing solutions to the challenges we face in Nigeria, and to helping amplify stories of positive energy and change, from every corner of the country.

• Amir Al-Makura, Abuja.

Sir: It’s no rocket science that any attack on the Niger Republic would have significant effects on Nigeria’s two geo-political zones in terms of economy, infrastructural, as well as colossal human carnage. Can Nigeria cope with associated disturbances and dislocation in the Northwest and Northeast , her two most populous and unarguably most strategic regions in the north as a result of attack on Niger Republic?

President Bola Tinubu’s government just berthed and with the numerous challenges facing the countries following decades of maladministration and mismanagement of resources, it’s obviously out of place that the country next agenda would be to lead ECOWAS to attack a neighbouring country without exploring the channels of diplomacy to its limit.  

Equally, it would be foolhardy on the part of Nigeria to allow herself to be used as a tool to settle deep-rooted supremacy score between the acclaimed superpowers, America, France, Great Britain, Germany on one hand, and Russia, Chinese, etc on the other hand. This is one battle that may linger for unreasonable length of time and might not even come to a close, as developments in Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Vietnam, Afghanistan, as well as Ukraine have eloquently proved.

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Even though a much smaller country, it’s on record that Niger Republic has been a great ally of our nation over decades, and indeed sharing very close affinity and brotherhood especially with northern part of Nigeria. Do we now sacrifice this decades of relationship on the altar of war that ordinarily doesn’t directly concern Nigeria, but that our country is expected to spearhead to satisfy the yearnings of imperialists?                

These have been the challenges that our president has been confronting in the past couple of weeks.

Nigerians must salute and commend the president for his political sagacity, high-wired diplomatic maneuverings, patience and perseverance. Till date, the president has dispatched three high powered delegations to the troubled country to interface, interact and engage in the discussion of peace with the junta. The president also sent an envoy, Babagana Kingibe to presidents of Algeria and Libya to interact and influence the North African countries with a view to contributing to achievement of peace.      

In a very difficult and complex event like the quandary in the Niger Republic, there is no limit to exploring diplomatic channels to arrive at solution. This is what the president has been doing.

The president therefore deserves huge commendation and global accolades for this.

• Kola Amzat (FCA, FCIB), Lagos.

By Wale Omorinoye

Undisputedly acknowledged as Africa’s leading economy, Nigeria’s economy has been periodically challenged, slipping in and out of recession. The economy is largely dependent on crude oil which accounts for about 10% of the country’s GDP, 70% of government revenue and more than 83% of the country’s total export earnings, according to Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This makes the country’s economy highly vulnerable to fluctuations in crude oil prices and production. At some points, production and exploration were challenged by the activities of militants in the south-south region of the country which further compounded the situation, with adverse effects on the about 200 million population.

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A combination of several other challenges such as unappropriated energy supply, deficient public infrastructures and human development, widespread corruption and poor governance, instability of government policies and initiatives, brain drain, insecurity, high inflation, rising unemployment and high cost of living have pushed the country into great distress and the citizens stuck in untold hardship and a general anomie of despondency.

A World Bank report titled ‘’A Better Future for All Nigerians: Nigeria Poverty Assessment 2022’’ stated that as many as four in 10 Nigerians live below the national poverty line. Economic situation in Nigeria has deteriorated significantly, with the country’s purchasing and selling situation seriously depressing, annual profits decreasing, significantly affecting the country’s population.

Despite the overwhelming economic challenges, Nigeria remains a country of great potential. The economy only needs reinvigoration and concerted efforts of all stakeholders to place it on a sound footing for sustainable development. To that end, the government is currently carrying out a series of reforms notably in the oil and gas industry with the deregulation of the downstream sector. It is expected that this step will enhance efficiency in the economy, with the government probably becoming less bogus, less bloated and less corrupt. Government has also channelled several billions of oil revenues into other sectors of the economy such as, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, especially oil sector infrastructure and power in an effort to boost the diversification of the economy.

These are commendable initiatives, but the government needs to pay more attention to infrastructure, real estate and construction either by direct investment, or by partnering with the private sector, but most importantly by creating a more conducive environment for sustainable investment in these critical areas via clearly laid out and workable policies. 

However, if sincerely we are desirous of revamping the economy, it must be done largely through investment in real estate and infrastructure, and this must be done on a continuous basis.

The federal government must be ready to spend sizeable sum on infrastructure, lead aggressive intervention in housing supply and come up with helpful policies to stimulate and deepen private sector participation in housing delivery if we really want to reflate and lift the economy out of the doldrums, lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, and promote the much desired social order.

It is the way the economy is patterned that real estate latches on. There are prospects for the industry to thrive, the sector is heavily underdeveloped at the moment, there are still a lot of opportunities for development within the real estate sector, but those opportunities can only be realized by conscious efforts of government and private sector commitment to realizing them.

About 30% of Nigeria’s population of about 200 million is still struggling to have quality and affordable housing. This translates to about 28 million housing deficit which implies that the country’s housing sector needs urgent attention. But the truth of the matter is that housing shortage provides incentives for development, as there are huge opportunities there in the real sense of it. Real estate sector in other climes contribute hugely to Gross Domestic Product. In Nigeria, the statistics we have indicates that housing contributes about 0.5%, which is ridiculous. In the United States of America and United Kingdom, you have contributions of 18%-20% to GDP. 

I think it is time to appreciate the fact that no other investment or medium of investment is comparable to real estate investment. I recollect the losses some investors incurred in the capital market as a result of the global economic meltdown or the global financial crisis some years ago, the consequences were legion and many investors lost heavily. Some never recovered from the shock and the losses. This would not happen to real estate investment. Real estate is secured and more reliable. It is not only a reliable investment destination, but a viable and enduring one. It is an investment you can fall back on aftermath a crisis, it is the only investment that edges against inflation, and it appreciates with time.

The real estate market in Nigeria is filled with lots of opportunities for profitability and the fact that real estate appreciates in value over time suggests that real estate is a better alternative to other investments, and a reliable route to revamp the economy. Let us face the reality, real estate has a great multiplier effects positively. Real estate, infrastructure and construction absorb a lot of people, the engineers, builders, artisans, technicians and the rest. We need to realize that we are dealing with labour and materials in the construction industry. Government should recognize and invest in the critical variables in the housing sector; otherwise the problems will remain largely unresolved. 

For instance, when government or private developers acquire land for housing development, government needs to provide infrastructure, which is access road, water, electricity and other facilities that will make the place habitable. This is because once the cost of infrastructure is removed; the remaining cost of the project is negligible. 

What the nation requires is a national leadership with the understanding and capability to set the tone and direction for national growth and development which must incorporate all citizens, irrespective of ethnic or geopolitical affiliation in a grand vision of collective dynamic growth.

Inevitably, a growing economy represents the best pathway toward addressing many of the social and economic challenges Nigeria now faces in its 62nd year of independence, and the most viable way to drive this is through investment in real estate and infrastructure.

Omorinoye is an estate surveyor and valuer based in Abuja.

By Ademola Adebisi

The coup that occurred in Niger on July 26 came as a rude and huge shock to all lovers of democracy across the world. This is not because the phenomenon of illegal and forceful seizure of political power is strange to the international community, but because the coup route to power is one we had lived with before in Africa and elsewhere and whose governmental machinery has evidently proved to be corrupt, inefficient, repressive of human rights and denigration of the rule of law.

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In its ugly past also, the victim nations of military rule had suffered arbitrariness and undefined rules of succession. In those years of military in government in Africa in the 1960s-80s, the military were much more guilty of misrule, serving as imperialist lackeys and false agents of moderation. Indeed, following the poor showing of the military in government in Africa then, it almost become a proverb that, the worst democratically elected government is better than the best military government. It is of course in realization of the dangers of military rule that the AU and ECOWAS have resolved to ostracize military rule on the continent.

It is against this backdrop one should understand the initial reaction of the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, as the sitting chair of ECOWAS, to the unfortunate toppling of the constitutionally and legitimately established government of President Mohammed Bazoum. Tinubu’s prompt resentment of the coup plotters can be further understood in the context of his antecedent as a pro-democracy activist who has a record of long duel with military dictators before democracy could be restored in Nigeria after a tortious and gruelling transition programme. It is this experience of course, that informed Tinubu’s earlier warning to military apologists few weeks before General Abdourahmane Tchiani bayoneted democracy in Niger. Though one had initially thought that Tinubu was hastily confrontational in his dealings with the Nigerien junta, upon second thought however, this may be pardonable granted the fact that the president is very much aware from experience that, you don’t deal with the military in gloves but  with a modicum of force if not full blown armed confrontation. Thus, save the cut off of electricity supply to Niger which is affecting civilians, the president has indeed, acted as a bold leader of the 387 million people of the West African sub-region. In any event, the manner in which some Nigerians have reacted to the coup has posed serious threat to democracy and dilemma to coup d’état in Africa. This is because, during the moment they were condemning Tinubu, they forgot completely the illegality committed by the junta and unfortunately lent them legitimacy.

In this coup, the junta have anchored their  patriotic and messianic mission on: the need for better security in Niger; the desire to combat corruption and bad governance and the desire to free Niger from the exploitative clutches of the West particularly the US and France. But the pertinent questions are these: is this truly their mission? Could the remote cause of the coup not be personal interests of the coupists couched as national interest? The military had intervened in the country in the past on the same messianic mission. The question is: did they deliver then? If they had, would Niger have still remained on top of the list of the poorest countries in the world today? Can they truly rescue Niger from foreign power influences? I doubt that. We are told that the coupists would replace France and US with Russia.  Would Russia be playing Father Christmas in Niger? Will it not be after its own national interest too? Is Russia of the old not different from Russia of today in its global objectives and pursuits? What difference has the military in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea made to good governance and regional stability both in the past and now? Have they not embarked on endless and indefinite transition programme?

It is good that President Bola Tinubu is being prevailed upon to be circumspect in handling the Nigerien aberration given the economic, social, cultural, security and religious ties between Nigeria and Niger. Truly he needs to and he will certainly be mindful of public opinion and Nigeria’s national interest. Yet, the junta in Africa need not be given breathing space. For they don’t usually represent the popular will of their citizenry. Many a times we take street sponsored solidarity support by vocal minority for the junta as their acceptance or true legitimacy. We may be wrong. The fact that the wife of the coup leader in Niger, is said to be a Nigerian does not make the coup right and should not be used to gag Nigeria’s resistance to the coup.

We should not forget that coup is a virus. It is very contagious. Thus Nigeria needs to quarantine its borders. We have seen coup infecting Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and now Niger one of our closest neighbours. The truth is that coup d’état is not a lawful method of political succession or alternation of power. It is a case of rape on constitutionalism and should therefore be abhorred and punished. Africa should not be thrown back to the era of musical chair in political succession. In recent times in Africa, we have seen opposition party defeating the ruling party; we have seen alternation of power growing in Africa; we have seen Ghana and Nigeria among others, consolidating their democracies. This is encouraging and also suggests progress. True it is that electoral fraud is as bad as coup, yet it doesn’t make coup d’état an orderly means of succession. Africans must therefore, resist the resurgence or resurrection of military incursion to power and governance if not for anything, but for their dark and retrogressive past.

•Dr. Adebisi teaches politics and international relations at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin,Ondo State.

By Olufemi Fadahunsi,

Sir: It is no longer news that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has in recent times been making arrests and gigantic seizures in every nook and cranny of the country. Several assets of barons have been seized and confiscated but it is saddening to see most of these drug offenders walking freely on the streets again as if nothing ever happened.

How do they find themselves back on the streets? What happens to the morale of officers who risked their lives in making these arrests with surveillance and intelligence sometimes taking months?

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Nigeria today has been faced with series of narcotics and new psychoactive substances ravaging the streets many of which are fuelling the security challenges we experience on a daily basis; banditry in the North, unknown gunmen in the East, cultism and theft in the South. Kidnapping, oil bunkering, cybercrimes, all are married and have a strong nexus with drug use.

Substance use has caused our youths and society a better part of their lives. The effects of these drugs have left many homeless, jobless, and caused family disintegration, some have been faced with life-threatening illnesses; liver damage, seizures, stroke, and brain damage to mention a few. 

A publication by the NDLEA released in July shows that 32,922 drug offenders have been arrested in 30 months with 5,495 convicted and 6.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs seized within the same period. The statistics also revealed that 38 barons have been nabbed with their drug supply networks across countries cut down. These numbers clearly indicate that the NDLEA is playing its role in making sure that abuse is reduced to the barest minimum through supply reduction even with the drug demand programme, WADA advocacy initiative constantly going on to sensitize people about the effects and dangers of these illicit substances.

The question remains that what is being done behind the scenes to ensure all these people who have been nabbed do not go back into the streets to start from where they stopped? Many have been taken into the courtrooms and have been given the option of meagre fines against getting a jail term for offences committed. Without blinking an eye, these fines are paid and thereafter they return back to their trade.

I have also read reports attributed to Gen. Buba Marwa, the chairman of the agency that the NDLEA Act is currently undergoing amendments in the National Assembly and the removal of fines in the expected law will strengthen the deterrence effect of court prosecution and conviction.

I want to urge Mr President to speedily assent to this bill as soon as it is transmitted to him so as to curtail judges from using their discretionary powers to give options of fine for drug offenders. It will also be a great contribution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking while giving us the Nigeria we so desire.

Olufemi Fadahunsi, Ado–Ekiti, Ekiti State.

By Fredrick Nwabufo

Sir: Lately, no institution of government has been the object of derision, blackmail, and threats like the judiciary. This venerable and inviolable magisterial conservatory has been reduced to the jack-a-lent of ridicule, hate, and spite by those who are pursuing political profits through guerrilla means. How did we get here?

In the past, the judiciary had a sanctity that citizens dare not violate or abuse with wild conjectures, fallacies, innuendos, and invective. The judiciary was like a place of worship, where due obeisance and respects were paid. It was like the holy of holies.

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Vicious attacks were reserved for the executive and the legislature. But all of that has changed. Today, citizens, some of them born in the new millennium, take up cudgels and mud to bludgeon and smear the judiciary. The long-held worship of the judiciary seems to have evaporated.

What changed? Politics. Our politics has become more ill-omened, devastatingly cold, and dark. The 2023 elections precipitated a dangerous angle to citizens’ behaviour and to citizen-government relationship. The disposition and political proclivities of some candidates in the election, particularly, those who lost the election introduced scorched-earth tactics into political opposition.

This dimension of opposition is most destructive, perfidious, and insidious. It tears down without building; it talks down without uplifting; it attacks without reason; it claims without evidence; it lies without let; it defames and defiles without conscience; and it opposes without a cause. All it seeks is to pull down and destroy – for as long as its longing for the seat remains a chimera.

The judiciary became the captive of vicious propaganda as the appeal court heard cases on the 2023 presidential election. The names and photos of the justices hearing the cases became items for poisoned campaigns. Some of the justices were virtually harassed and their particulars brought into the open.

A justice sitting on the panel was reported – by the troubadours of fake news on social media – to have resigned in protest against the conduct of other members of the panel. The National Judicial Council issued a statement torpedoing the falsehood.

The appeal court concluded hearing on the matter on August 1 and reserved judgment. But the violence against the judiciary has ratcheted up. A few days ago, a vicious and injurious defamation, pertaining to the cases before the presidential election court, against a former governor and minister twirled on the ubiquitous and ungoverned social media. The photo of an individual alleged to be a judge with his grandchildren was published and assaulted on the same network as well.

As this is being read, a large billboard with the words “ALL EYES ON THE JUDICIARY” is currently on display on Abuja-Keffi Road, just opposite Mogadishu Barracks in the Federal Capital Territory. These are clearly subliminal threats against the judiciary.

The petals of desperation. The exploitation of mass hysteria. And the concomitants of confusion.

It is clear that the unlawful resort to naked blackmail against judges is to menace the judiciary – to bend it to the will of those seeking political gains. And perhaps to create a siege of option and chaos should the judgment of the presidential election court reflect a different candidate; and to prejudice the court with an impossible fait accompli.

It is dangerous having very high hopes where there is no similitude of chance; it is foolhardy creating a dream that is unrealisable. It is unwise holding unto an illusion, believing it and living it. The only way out of this phantasm is the asylum.

Nigerians must understand that the judiciary is the terminal instrument of all citizens. It must remain sacred. What is holy should be left whole. It must not be scandalised and diminished by those who lack basic understanding of how institutions function. It must not become a sport for political gladiator-ship, manoeuvrings, and attacks. It should be left in its pristineness to function.

The danger of scandalising the judiciary is enormous for society. Nothing can stand in a society where the judiciary is minimised, abused, and ridiculed. Even under military regimes, the judiciary is allowed to function because of its central role in the balance of society and in the maintenance of law and order.

This violence against the judiciary must stop.

Fredrick Nwabufo, Abuja.

By Jiya Peter Idowu

Sir: The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recruitment process has drawn concerns and questions as aspirants await transparency and updates on the status of their applications. The online test, which took place in June 2022, was followed by a nationwide physical test in December of the same year. Since then, there has been a notable lack of communication from the authorities regarding the outcome of the recruitment process.

Many candidates invested substantial time, effort, and financial resources to participate in the physical test, in hopes of securing a position within the regulatory body that plays a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s electricity sector. However, nearly nine months have passed without any official announcement or feedback about the recruitment results.

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Speculations abound regarding the apparent silence surrounding the recruitment process. Some candidates believe that the recruitment might have taken place behind closed doors, shrouded in secrecy. This perception has generated frustration and mistrust among the candidates, who seek clarity on the status of their applications and the overall recruitment process.

In light of these concerns, candidates are calling on the NERC and relevant government authorities to provide transparency and updates on the recruitment process. The lack of communication not only erodes trust but also perpetuates uncertainty among the individuals who have invested significant resources in pursuing a potential career opportunity within the commission.

NERC, as a regulatory body responsible for promoting transparency and accountability within the electricity sector, is urged to demonstrate these very principles in its own recruitment process. Clarity regarding the status of the recruitment will not only alleviate the anxieties of the aspiring candidates but also uphold the integrity of the commission.

 The plight of the candidates awaiting updates on the NERC recruitment process underscores the importance of transparency, fairness, and effective communication in such matters. As the months continue to pass without concrete information, it is imperative for the authorities to address the concerns of the candidates and provide them with the necessary updates regarding the recruitment process. This would not only serve as a demonstration of the NERC’s commitment to its principles but also offer much-needed closure and clarity to the aspirants who have invested their hopes and resources in this opportunity.

Jiya Peter Idowu Ilorin, Kwara State

Sir: The 2023 general election was a historical moment in the nation’s democratic journey, with technology playing a crucial role in the exercise. As citizens exercised their right to vote, digital rights emerged as a crucial aspect that shaped the electoral landscape and aimed to safeguard fundamental rights and liberties in the digital age.

In October 2020, Nigeria witnessed the powerful #EndSARS protests, a nationwide call for an end to police brutality and comprehensive police reforms. Spearheaded by impassioned youths, social media platforms, notably Twitter and Instagram, played a pivotal role in organizing, mobilizing, and sharing protesters’ experiences. Hashtags and live updates circulated globally, amplifying the voices of the demonstrators.

However, the government’s response to online activism during the #EndSARS protests raised concerns about its commitment to digital rights and freedom of expression. Notably, the federal government’s temporary ban of Twitter in June 2021 due to the platform’s deletion of a post by former President Muhammadu Buhari, wherein he threatened regional secessionists, triggered debates on the delicate balance between regulation and freedom of expression. The aftermath of the protests saw further criticism of internet shutdowns in certain regions and attempts to regulate social media platforms, prompting citizens and digital rights advocates to emphasise the protection of online freedoms and democratic participation. These events set the stage for crucial discussions leading up to the 2023 general elections, with calls for the digitalization of the electoral process.

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The 2023 Nigerian elections witnessed an unprecedented surge in political discourse on social media platforms. Citizens exercised their right to freedom of expression, engaging in vibrant discussions on political matters. Nevertheless, aftermaths of the #EndSARS protests highlighted the challenge of striking a balance between safeguarding freedom of expression and regulating hate speech and misinformation.

Access to accurate information proved to be a crucial aspect of the 2023 Nigerian elections, with citizens seeking informed choices. Digital platforms played a pivotal role in disseminating information about candidates, party manifestos, and election-related updates. To address concerns about fake news and disinformation, initiatives promoting media literacy and fact-checking were implemented, encouraging citizens to critically evaluate information from credible sources.

This commitment to fostering an informed electorate resulted in a more engaged and educated voting population. Social media platforms played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and political discourse during the 2023 Nigerian elections. The impact of social media on political activism reverberated through the 2023 elections, enabling political parties and candidates to leverage these platforms to connect with voters, mobilize support, and disseminate campaign messages.

However, the proliferation of disinformation, misinformation, and manipulation of public opinion posed significant challenges. The need for stricter regulations and transparent content moderation practices became evident to combat the spread of fake accounts, bots, and malicious propaganda. Striking the right balance between effective regulations and upholding freedom of expression remains a complex task that requires continuous attention and collaboration.

The integration of technology and social media in the electoral process brought both opportunities and challenges, emphasizing the need for responsible and inclusive digital rights practices in Nigeria’s future elections. By embracing the power of digital rights, Nigeria can foster a more transparent, informed, and engaged electorate, strengthening its democracy in the years to come.

• Wale Bakare, wale@webfalainitiative.org